The Cabinet fall guy: Education Secretary comes a cropper in an embarrassing slip-up (well, it had been raining)

In these delicate first few weeks of the new coalition government, every minister is taking care to do nothing that could possibly suggest that the Cameron/Clegg regime is in any way wobbly.

And the master of diplomacy in the brave new world of Conservative and Liberal Democrat co-operation is the Tories' Education Secretary Michael Gove.

Unfortunately his firm handling of his new brief did not extend to his ability to master the slippery pavements in Downing Street this morning as he had a nasty tumble after getting out of his official car.

Education Secretary Michael Gove takes a tumble on the way to the Cabinet meeting in Downing Street

Mr Gove's left foot appeared to slip off the kerb and he ended up on his knees as he made his way to a Cabinet meeting.